A number of IUCN listed critically endangered species of Elasmobranch fishes occur off the mid-west and south west coast of Ireland. These include Angel Shark, White Skate, Common/Blue Skate and Flapper Skate. They have been extirpated throughout much of their former range mainly through over fishing including unintentional by-catch mortality.
The main source of mortality on critically endangered Elasmobranchs in Ireland, as evidenced from EMFF supported projects in 2017-2020, arises from by-catch in large mesh tangle nets targeting spiny lobster. Spiny lobster is itself listed as vulnerable and decreasing by the IUCN and about 20 tonnes are landed by inshore fishing vessels off the south west of Ireland annually. Fishing for spiny lobster occurs on Annex I reef habitat and reef structure and function may be altered by removing lobster from reefs and by the physical disturbance caused by fishing gears.
Fishery observer data also shows very high by-catch of Grey seal in the tangle net fishery off the south west coast and especially close to seal haul out sites. Grey seal is listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been designated for it. There is in addition a low incidence of Harbour Porpoise by-catch in the fishery. An SAC for this species is established within the project area (Blasket Islands SAC 002172).
Although there are fishery regulations prohibiting targeting and retention of Angel Shark, White Skate and Common Skate (No 2019/124), these are not effective because incidental by-catch and associated mortality continues to occur and the remaining populations are too small to support this level of mortality. This source of mortality must be removed to secure the future of remnant populations of these species in areas where they were once abundant.
Project objectives:
The project has a series of related and prioritised objectives
To gather additional evidence in the project area of the extent of by-catch of endangered and protected species and of the interactions between protected species and fisheries generally. Previous EMFF project obtained data in the area Dingle north to Tralee Bay.
To assess the status of crayfish stocks and their use of reef habitat
To protect and restore populations of critically endangered species of Elasmobranch off the south west coast of Ireland by eliminating by-catch risk inside 12nm. The design and extent of protection measures will be based on evidence from Objective 1. For set net fisheries generally in the area the issue of depredation behaviour of seals, which causes both seal by-catch and economic losses, needs to be resolved.
To develop low impact fishing methods that do not cause any by-catch of endangered species
Develop a management plan for restoration of crayfish that ensures sustainable and viable fishing in the future and beyond the lifetime of the project
The future sustainable and viable fishing for crayfish cannot be separated from the management of other fisheries. Skippers fishing for crayfish also use static nets to fish for Turbot, Monkfish, Pollack and Hake. The viability of these fisheries is severely compromised due to interactions with seals (which are also caught as by-catch). Other Skippers fish large mesh tangle nets for crayfish and pots for lobster and crab. Typically, this involves long net soak times because tending to so much fishing gear is difficult and pots are given priority. As potting effort increases and crab catches decline, deploying nets for crayfish becomes an option.
The MI work programme aims to resolve the by-catch of endangered species, reduce interaction between net fisheries and wildlife (seals, porpoise, dolphin) and to restore crayfish stocks so that pot fishing becomes viable.
This work cannot be completed without contracted participation of the vessel owners. It’s not simply about data collection but about solving, through field trials, the issues outlined above. The project will leverage research effort from the 3rd level sector. The project will need support from fishery management measures to achieve results. The Minister has indicated he would welcome proposals on how to resolve the issues identified above. This requires a twin track of legislative changes in parallel with the work programme described below in order to secure the economic viability of fishing while restoring biodiversity.
Directly secure the future of 4 critically endangered species of Elasmobranch fish in known hotspots in Ireland by removing fishing mortality, which is the main impact responsible for their near extirpation in Irish waters, and through a captive breeding and re-introduction programme. Recovery of these populations will be enabled.
Directly reduce or eliminate, through direct actions, fishery by-catch mortality on 3 species, Grey Seal, Harbour Porpoise and Bottle Nose Dolphin protected under the Habitats Directive
Develop sustainable fishery management procedures for the endangered and declining spiny lobster which is a key species of Annex I reef habitat in the area. This will at least secure €3m income to the local economy and enable increase in this value through stock recovery.
Provide for a socially inclusive transition from high impact to low impact fisheries by involving the fishing industry in projects to demonstrate and measure the benefits of the conservation actions. In developing a new fishery plan for crayfish a domino of negative consequences for other fisheries due to fishing effort displacement needs to be avoided.
Ensure small scale coastal fisheries in the project area are compliant with EU Habitats Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Common Fisheries Policy by removing or minimising their environmental impacts.
The project has a 2 year duration and runs between 2021 and 2026.
Success of this project will be measured by the degree to which protection has been provided for endangered and protected species in the project area. Legislation to support that protection is external to the project but consultation with DAFM and Industry has already been initiated and there is intent to follow up with full public consultation followed by introduction of measures. The data that has already been reported (2017-2020) and that will be reported by the project will provide the evidence for the introduction of measures. Systems for monitoring of endangered species and their recovery will have been put in place. The crayfish fishery will operate under a management plan which will include use of low impact fishing gear with no by-catch of protected species but that is economically viable and consistent with the Biodiversity strategy of delivering favourable outcomes with respect to socio-economic inclusion.
Contact Oliver Tully at oliver.tully@marine.ie
